Lamp



Oct. 29, 1946. H, J, SAUER 2,410,366

LAMP

Filed Apiil 1'7 1944 INVENTOR HE IR [l SAUER ATTORNEY Patentecl Oct. 29, 1946 UNHTED STT'ES PATENT OFFICE Henry J. Sauer, Fairfield, Conn., assignor t 'lhe Kilborn-Sauer Company, Fairfield, Conn., a corporation cf Connecticut Appication April 1'2, 1944, Serial N0. 531,342

6' Claims. 1

'Ihe present invention relates 130 an improvement in lamps, especially for automobile use. At present, a, 1a1ge majority of automobil lamps employ a so-called Sea1ed Beam type 0f lighting unit wherein the ieflector and lens constitute a sealed container for the lamp filament. In mounting such unit in 24 casing provision must be made for supporting it Within the casing and removabl-y retaining it in place, and for this purpose the usual ]amp casing consists 0f a. body having mean Within it for engaging the real- Ward surface of the peripheral flange of the unit anti a detachable fianged rim engaged upon the forward. open side of the body to engage over the forward side Qf the flange of the unit to retain it in place.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a lamp casing, especially adapted for receiving a. Sealed Beam type of lighting unit, vvherein the supporting and retaining means for the unit constitute an integral or inseparable part of the body of the casing, thus providing a structure. which is relatively economical 130 manufacture and which greatly facilitates the assembl'y of the lighting unit and its removal and replacement when necessary.

Another object is so pI'OVide a casing structure ad'apted to tightly retain the lighting. unitthrough adjustablg pressure applied thereon, so that. relative looseness between the unit. and the casing is effectually eli'minated.

Withthe above and other objects in view, embodiments of th invention are shown in the accompanying drawing, and these embodiments Will be hereinafter more. fully described. With reference thereto, and the invention will be finally pointed out inthe clairns.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation 0f an automobile lamp, according to one exemplary ernbodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevatic n partially in vertical section.

Fig. 3 is a, front elevationof the lamp casing with the lamp unit removed.

Fig. 4 i's a horizontal sectional view,. taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fir. 5 isa side elevatiom partially in vertical section, of a 1amp casing according so a modified form of the inventi0n, the lighting unifi being r'emoved.

Fig. 6 is a, fragmentary sectional view showing the ca.sing of the invention with a 1ens and refiector cf separable type engaged therein.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several figures of the drawing.

Referring the drawing, and. more particularly to Figs. 1 to 4 thereof, th 1arnp accorcling so the illustrated exemplary embodiment of the invention shown therein, cornprises a, casing I0, preferably formed of sheet metal provided at 1ts fonward open sid.e with a circumferential rim part H, integrally connected to the body 0-f the casing by an inwardly projecting abutment flange E2, of U-shape in cross-section, and provided am its forward edge with an inturned retaining fiange I3. At its bottom point the rim part H is provided. With a relatively wide split I4, extending from its front surface to a point spaced slightly forwardly of the abutment flange I2 where it meets the medial point 0f a circumferential cut I5 extending upwardly ab each sich; of the rim part to points spaced a shox*t distance belovv the central diametric plane of the lamp, this cut being parallel 170 a.nd spaced slightly in front of zhe abutment flange l2. Thus the portion of the rim part defined by the cut 5 constitutes a flexibly movable par1; which may be moved outwardly er inwardly With respect 130 its normal concentriu relation to the rim part.

Rigidly secured to the outer peripheral surface of the opposed portions of 1;he rim at each side of the split H3 is a pair of tubular brackets I6, secured by rivets H snd engaged by a tightening screw I8 having its head bearing upon the end cf one 0f the brackets and engaged with a, nut I 9 bearing upon the end of the other bracket. By tightening of this screw the fiexibly movable part of the rim may be drawn inwardly ehe width of the split being sufficient so permit this action to a, substantial degree.

Upon the inner surface of the casing, rearwardly of the abutment flange I2, there is provided a pair cf. spaced retaining lugs 2) secured by rivets 2l and adapted to recei-ve the positioning 1ug provided unon the lamp unit, as will presently more ful1y appear.

'I'he Sea1ed Beam 1amp unit consists of a refiector part 22 and a 1ens part sea1ed together constitute a sea1ed container f0r 1;he 1amp filament, a peripheral fiange 241 bei-ng pro- Vided bebween the refiect-or and lens parts having ab it's rearward sic1e an annular shouldered recess 25 for fitting engagemen-t against the abutment means within 1:he lamp casing, and at its forward side an annular shouldered recess 25 for retaining engagement therewith cf the usua1 retaining rim. Inwardly of the recess 25 there is provided a. positioning lug 2'I, for the purpse cf insuring the proper positioning of the unit in the casing and to prevent it from relative turning therein. The refiect0r portion is provided centrally with the filament Support 23 to which the conductor wires 29 are connected in the usual manner.

According t0 the invention the inside diameer of the rim portion II is somewhat 1arger than the diameter of the flange 24 015 the lamp unit, so that in installing the lamp unit it may be readily inserted into engagement; within the rim portion II, either in the concentric relation 0f the flexibly movable rim part, as shown in Fig. 3, er with the flexibly movable rim part forced outwardly to a s1ight degree. II. is pointecl ouI: in this connection I:hat the interna1 diameter of the retaining flange I3 cf the rim portion, in its concentric relation, as shown in Fig. 3, may be equa1 I70 01 slightly 1ess than the diameter of the flange 24 of I;he lighting unit. Upon engagement of the lighting unit within the easing, in seating engagemeni; With the abutment fiange I2, the fastening screw I8 is tightened, causing the luwer flexibly movable sp1it portion of the rim a1ong the cut I5 to be drawn inwardly am: of its normal concentric relation and into I:ight engagement With the lower side of the fiange 24, ab Ehe same I:ime pressing the upper side of the fiange firmly into engagement with the': upper side of the rim II. The lower portion of the rim at each side of the sp1it I4 is raised slight1y a?ccve the peripheral outline 0f the casing rearwardly of the cut I5, as shown c1ear1y in Fig. 2, he flange of I;he 1amp unit being ab the same time slid upwardly upon the abutment flange I2. In this manner the lamp unit is firm1y secured within I:he casing, the tightening of the fasten ing screw I8 causing the rim to be drawn in to the point where 112 securely clamps abou1; the flange 0f the unit. II: Will be understood that the diameter of the rim and its retaining fiange relative 120 the diameter cf the. 1amp uhit may be varied I:o bring about any desired variation in the degree of expansion anal contraction of the fiexib1y movable rim portion so permit the insertion and retaining of 13he 1amp unit.

In Fig. 5, there is shown a modified form cf the invenjzion in which a rim partion I I is separately formed from the casing HP, the rim portion being provided rearwardly of I7he abutment fiange I2 With an inwardly ofiset 1ip 33 fitted within the forward end of I:he casing III and inseparably secured thereto by rivets 3 I or by other suitable mean s such as 5130I3 welding. A pair of retain-- ing lugs 20 is 1anced fr0m I;he 1ip 30 and bent inwardly therefrom toprovide positioning and retaining means f0r the lug 21 of the lamp unit. 'Ihis form of the invention permits ehe casing 150 be formea from a difierent material than the rirn forjnstance the casing may be of plastic or of paintea metal, while the rim is 0f chromeqalated mtatal. Its cooperation With the lamp unit is the same as in the first embodiment.

In Fig. 6 there is shown the manner in which the separable type of reflector 32 and 1ens 33 may be adapted for cooperation with the casing of the invention. The refiector is pIOI/ided with an outwardly projecting rim fiange 34 fitted against the rim fiange 35 cf the lens, the two rim fianges being engaged within the rim portion II of the casing in the same manner as the engagement 01? the fiange 24 of the Sea1ed Beam type of lamp unit, the flange 34 of I;he refiector seating against the abutment fiange I2 and the flange 35 of the 1ens being engaged and retained by the retaining flange I3.

I have illustrated and described preferred and satisfacbory embodiments of the invention, laut it Will be obvious that changes may be made therein, within the spirit and sC0pe thereof as defined in I3he appended claims.

Having thus described by invention, what is elaimed a.nd desired I:o be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a lamp, a casing comprising a body part and a circumferencial rim part; permanent-ly cannected together, inwardly projecting abutment meang permanently connected to said casing ab a point within seid casing between said body part and said rim part, a retaining flange at the forward edge of said rim part, said rim part including a fiexibly movable portion extending partially about its cireumference defined by a circumferential cut between said abutment means and said retaining flange, there being a transverse split extending forwardly from said cireumferential cut through said retaining flange, and fastening means eonneeted between the opposed edgs of said transverse split adapted to contract said flexible rim portion with respect to its normal open relation relatively said rim part and whereby a lens inserted Within said rim porti0n in 0pp0sed relation 1:0 said abutment means is retaine therein through contraction cf said fiexibly movable rim portion.

2. In a 1amp a casing comprising a body part and a circumferential rim part permanently connected together, a circumferential inwardly projecting abutment fiange permanently eonnected to said casing ab a point within said casing between said body part and said rim part a reIsaining fiange a1; the forward edge of seid rim part, said rim part including a flexibly movable portion extending partially about its cimumference defined by a circumferential cut betweeu said abutment fiange and said retaining flange, there being a transverse sp1it extending forwardly from a point intermediate the ends cf said circumferentia1 cut through seid retaining flange, anal fastening means connected between the opposed edges of said transverse split adapted 150 contract said flexible rim portion with respect 110 its normal open re1ation relatively tt said rim part and whereby a 1ens inserted WiI:hin said rim portion in opposed relation to said. abutment flange is retained therein through contraction of said flexib1y movab1e rim portion.

3. In a 1amp, a casing comprising a body part and. a circumferential rim part a circumferential inwardly projecting abutmenr, flange integrally connecting said body part and said rim part, a retzaining flange ab the forward edge of said rim part, said rim part including a flexibly movable portion extending partially about its circumference defined by a circumferential cut between said abutment flange and said retaining flange, there being a transverse split extending forwardly from saic'l circumferential cut through said retaining flange, and means adapted C011- tract said flexible rim portion with respect to its normal open relation relatively to said rim part and whereby a lens inserted within said rim portion in opposed relation to said abutment fiange is retained therein through contraction of said fiexibly movable rim portion.

4. In a lamp, a easing comprising a body part, having a forward open end, a circumferential rim part inserted in said open end and secured thereto and including an inwardiy disposed circumfetential inwardly projecting abutment fiange and a retaining flange at its forward edge, said rim part including a. flexibly movable portion extending partially about its circumference defined by a circumferential cut between said abutment flange and said retaining fiange there being a transverse split extending forwardly from said circumferential cut through said retaining flange, and means adapted to contract said flexible rim portion with respect 110 its normal open relation relatively to said rim part and whereby a, lens inserted within said rim portion in opposed relation 110 said abutment flange is retained therein through contraction of said fiexibly mova.ble rim portion.

5. In a 1amp, the combination with a 1amp unit including a lens and a, reflector having a periphera1 flange, of a casing comprising a body Part and a, circumferential rim part permanently comnected together, inwardly projecting abutment means permanently connected to said casing at a point Within said casing between said body part and said rim part, a, retaining flange a.t the forward edge of said. rim part, said rim part including a fiexibly movable portion extending partial1y about its circumference defined by a, circumferential cut between said abutment means and said retaining fiange, there being a transverse split extending forwardly from said circumferential cut through said retaining flange and means adapted. to contract sa.id flexible rim portiom with respect to its normal open relation relatively to said rim part and. whereby the fiange of said. lamp unit inserted within said rim portion in opposed relatiou to said abutment fiange is retained therein through contraction of said flexibly movable rim portion.

6. In a, lamp, the combinatiou with a lamp unit including a, lens and a reflector having a peripheral fiange, a casing comprising a body Part anal a circumferential rim part permanently connected together, a, circumferential inwardly projecting abutment fiange permanently connected said casing a1; a, point within said casing between said body part anal said rim part, a retaining flange at the forward edge of said rim part, said rim part including a flexibly movable portion extending partially about its circumference defined by a circumferential cut between said abutment fla.nge and said retaining fiange, there being a. transverse split extending forwardly from a-point intermediate the ends of said circumferential cut through said retaining flange, and fastening means connected between the opposed edges of said transverse split adapted to contract said flexible rim portion with respect to its normal open relation relatively to sa.id rim part and whereby the flange of said lamp unit inserted within sa.id rim portion in opposed relation 1:0 said abutment fiange is retained therein through contraction of said flexibly movable rim portion.

HENRY J. SAUER. 

